Read Online Portia by Christina Bauer - Free Book Online Page A

ceremony for, exactly?”
    “It’s for you, Portia. I’ll give you some magical energy and help you get started on your way. It’s for your own safety.”
    “You’ll give me magical energy?” My eyes narrow with suspicion. “I thought you said you were drained after your quest.”
    Alden sighs. “I’ve got a little in reserve, just in case. I know you’re angry with me, but we need the ceremony. You need that energy. I don’t trust your Gatherer. What is he, your ex-boyfriend?”
    “No, I hardly know him.” Even as the words leave my lips, I know that’s a lie. Something about Tempest has always felt familiar.
    “Well, whoever he is, he won’t be at the ceremony.”
    A low roar breaks the quiet. My pulse kicks up speed. That sounds a lot like a dragon. “You might be wrong on that one.”
    “What?” The roar sounds again. “Is that the guy?”
    “It’s a safe bet.”
    “And he’s a damned dragon? How could he follow us? I thought most of them didn’t know magic.”
    In a weird way, I’m glad that Alden is quite possibly the only other person in the after-realms who doesn’t know who Tempest is. “He’s a wizard.”
    “Must be a pretty good one, if he can track my spells.”
    “He’s the Emperor of the Furor. Greater demons have all sorts of abilities.”
    “What?” Alden’s blue eyes stretch wide with alarm. “Damn!” He grabs my sleeve and starts dragging me into the mist. “We’ve got to hustle.”
    I pull my coat free. “Not until you tell me what this ceremony is about.”
    Alden’s mouth trembles. “Millions of people are depending on us. You can’t second-guess every little thing I do. Have you forgotten? I finished my quest. I had a Gatherer train me for it, too. You need to get with the program, and that means holding this ceremony. Am I making myself clear?”
    Cold fingers of dread creep down my spine. The longer I spend with this guy, the higher the creep factor gets. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
    A breeze kicks up around us, clearing away the mist. A dark shape blocks out the sky. It’s a dragon with a sleek, black body, stout legs, broad chest, and a tail that’s lined with spikes. There’s no mistaking the sharp features, large eyes, and long scar by the jawline. Excitement and relief battle it out inside my chest.
    Tempest is here.
    He came for me. Sure, both Tempest and Alden have some crazy ideas. But one of them abducted me while the other flew to my rescue. As choices go, this one’s looking pretty clear. I’m flying away with the dragon.
    “You’re leaving with him, aren’t you?” Alden’s shoulders slump. “Don’t go. You need that ceremony, Portia. You need me.”
    Do I?
    The weight of the decision presses in around me. Alden says I need his help and this ceremony. Tempest tells me to follow the guidance of Verus, even though her plan sounds insane. I turn over both directions in my mind. Two facts become clear. First, Verus and her prophecies have crossed paths with my family before. She’s always been right. And second, going with Alden feels too easy. I don’t have the kind of life where someone swoops in and fixes everything perfectly. No, I’m the girl who gets the mysterious angel and oddball plan.
    Alden grips his hands together tightly. “You have to give me another chance. I’m your best bet to live through this. Hell, I’m the best bet for everyone. Please don’t go. For all of us.”
    I straighten my shoulders. “Thank you for your offer. My mind is made.” Turning on my heel, I walk toward Tempest at double-speed.
    Tempest ruffles his wings and shoots me a crooked smile. A sense of rightness settles into my soul. My decision is made, once and for all. I climb up Tempest’s foreleg and swing onto his shoulders. “Hi, Tempest.”
    “You okay, Portia? Did he hurt you?”
    “I’m fine.” Alden keeps staring at me. Every line of his body seems to droop with sorrow. “Let’s go.”
    Tempest beats his wings in a